Silversea Expedition Tromsø to Longyearbyen Voyage 7514

Expedition Highlights: • Cruise amidst pristine landscapes of glaciers and icebergs

• Explore deep fjords lined with rugged mountains

• Search for polar bear, walrus, reindeer, Arctic fox, and bearded seal

• Watch for whales including Minke and beluga

• Trek along the tundra

• Observe birds such as eiders, terns, skuas, sandpipers, auks and puffins

• Enjoy Zodiac cruises among remote bird cliffs

• Discover ruins of long-defunct whaling operations

Day 1 — Tromsø, Norway Embark the Silver Explorer this afternoon and depart on your exciting 10-day Silversea Expedition – Expedition Svalbard II. You will be introduced to your Expedition Team and receive a Zodiac briefing. Tonight you will be invited to attend a special Welcome Aboard cocktail party.

Day 2 — At Sea Meet some of your fellow explorers as you become acquainted with the luxurious amenities found onboard the Silver Explorer . Gather in The Theatre to hear fascinating tales of adventure or to learn about the region’s endemic wildlife and remarkable nature. Our knowledgeable Lecture Staff members are experts in a variety of scientific fields. Other onboard diversions include spa treatments, a workout in the Fitness Centre, and, of course, exquisite dining experiences.

Day 3 — Bear Island, Norway Approaching Bear Island (Bjørnøya – head out on deck to watch for whales that are known to frequent the area. As you are near this arctic island, now a nature reserve, you will see thousands of sea birds diving into and out of the island’s steep cliffs. With your Zodiacs, you will explore the rugged coastline and if weather conditions are favourable, make a landing. The Expedition Team will provide insights into the environment, the terrain, and the wildlife that exist in these extreme conditions.

Days 4–10 — Cruise & Explore Svalbard Join your expedition team for a journey along an expansive archipelago of the Arctic Ocean woven between the North Pole and Norway. Svalbard is one of the last major European wilderness areas with pristine mountains, fauna, deep fjords, picturesque icebergs, and massive ice sheets. Your goal on this voyage is to explore the eastern and least-visited sections of Svalbard’s breathtaking landscape and the dramatic Spitsbergen. Once there, you will locate wildlife and spend the maximum amount of time possible hiking on the tundra. Spitsbergen is home to approximately 5,000 polar bears and you might encounter a good number of them during your trip.

You will travel along the same routes as famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Nordenskiöld, Amundsen and Nobile. You will trek along beaches blanketed with walruses; get to know the indigenous reindeer, and maybe even spot the Arctic fox or bearded seal. Seabirds, such as Ivory gulls, auks and puffins, will be your constant companions. You might even encounter a few whales. A variety of known species frequent the area, in particular the Minke and beluga.

The flexible itinerary allows you to take advantage of favourable ice and weather conditions. You will search for walruses, seals, reindeer, Arctic foxes and polar bears. Shore walks and Zodiac landings will bring you up close to the mystical settings and passing icebergs. Each day your Expedition Leader and Captain will determine the best course, depending on changing weather, ice conditions and the wildlife you encounter. In the true spirit of adventure cruising, your Expedition Leader will provide daily updates. Here is a list of places you may visit:

• Ice Cruising – With the strengthened hull of the Silver Explorer , you have the perfect platform to search for walrus and polar bears as you devote at least one day to exploring the pack ice north of Spitsbergen. Conditions permitting, your Expedition Leader may choose to take you out in the Zodiacs for an even closer look.

• Bellsund – Pushing about 50 miles (80 kilometers) into Spitsbergen is the more than 12-mile wide Bellsund. At the entrance of the fjord you are likely to encounter some Common eiders, Arctic terns, and Arctic skuas. Snow bunting and Purple sandpipers are also common in the area. The plan is to explore the seldom-visited Van Keulenfjord, where you witness awe-inspiring landscapes as you trek along the tundra.

• Prins Karls Forland – Off the west coast of Spitsbergen, you encounter the island home of Forland National Park with cragged mountains, massive glaciers and remarkable wildlife. The entire island and the surrounding seas make up Forland National Park. Members of your Expedition Team take you ashore at Poolypnten, a well-known walrus haul out, where your marine biologist explains the habits and habitat of these amazing creatures.

• Edgeøya – Enter the realm of the polar bear on the third largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. Conditions permitting, you will go ashore at the hard to get to Diskobukta, where you will discover interesting fauna and flora and take a walk amongst thousands of Kittiwakes and Arctic foxes. The coastal waters often provide fantastic opportunities to see walrus and polar bear on the ice floe.

• Barentsøya – Just north of Edgeøya lays the fourth largest island in Svalbard. Here, you are immersed in a wide tundra landscape, perfect for long hikes and short walks. You may encounter polar bears and discover the ruins of 15th-century Russian Pomors.

• Hornsund – The southernmost fjord on the rugged west coast of Spitsbergen Island. Jagged mountain peaks tower above glacier-filled bays. Listen for the crash of white thunder as huge chunks of icefall into the fjord. Amidst floating icebergs jewels, watch for bearded seals, the rare Beluga whale and the king of the Arctic – the polar bear. Sightings are fairly common as the polar bear’s favourite food is the ringed seal that breeds in the fjord. The surrounding bird cliffs are home to thousands of pairs of nesting little auks. You may visit the Polish research station or the remains of whaling stations and trappers’ huts.

Day 11 — Longyearbyen, Norway Following breakfast, disembark Silver Explorer and transfer to the airport for your charter flight to Oslo.

Expedition highlights and wildlife listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into account the prevailing weather, wildlife activity and ice conditions